Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach looked back on his squad’s 2:0 win over Hapoel Acre on Matchday 22 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al:

“Our performance in the first half was weak without the right intensity and not connected to the game. Acre put some good pressure, had some good chances and Rajiko had a good game for us. In the second half the character came out when they understood that they may lose points. We fought especially when we had ten men. It was a good result and a good 3-points, but not the performance. Sometimes you have these games when things go wrong but you still manage to win.”

The match itself:
“We couldn’t have a normal buildup and we had Tal Ben Haim in a different role than he is used to. In general we have to start these games knowing that every opponent is tough and we have to be ready every single game. We have to fight from the first minute. Today was warning that if we aren’t in the right mode we can lose points to any team.”

Beer Sheva playing after Maccabi:
“Today was a good example that we were dangerous for ourselves. We don’t need to look at other teams what they do and when they play. It’s about us and getting on that field and showing what we are capable of from the first to last minutes. Some games you win by technique some by character and others by organization. We have to understand that we have to be connected and have intensity and today we didn’t have it. It doesn’t matter when our opponents play. We have to concentrate on ourselves.”

About Eliran Atar:
“If he didn’t play he couldn’t score. We are using Eliran in the moments when the team needs him. I’m very happy with him and the other strikers; they are all getting their goals. Sometimes it’s one and sometimes the other but the main thing is that Maccabi is getting the wins and sticking together.”